Racing legend's son dies trying to save woman

The son of New Zealand motorcycle racing legend Robbie Dean has died a hero after saving a woman from almost certain death on the tracks of a London underground railway station.

James Dean, 21, was electrocuted moments after freeing the woman, who apparently got her foot trapped while trying to walk across the tracks to reach another platform.

Police investigating the accident said James, whose father Robbie Dean was New Zealand Formula 1 motorcycle racing champion in 1989, rushed to the woman's aid but lost his footing as he retraced his steps across the tracks.

He fell on to a "live" line carrying 650 volts.

The tragedy happened at London's Ladbroke Grove tube station on Sunday.

Robbie Dean learned of the tragedy when British police contacted New Zealand police after tracing James' family from his passport.

British police are still carrying out inquiries but have told Mr Dean his son had ventured on to the rail line to help the stranded woman.

"It's the sort of thing he would do. He's a caring and sensitive guy," Mr Dean said today.

James had gone to Europe with the dream of securing a job riding motorcycles. He hoped to emulate the success of his father, who had a long and distinguished career.

Just hours before he died he called his father and was "buzzing" with excitement after being offered a trial ride for a major motorcycle racing team in Britain.

The break would have given him a stepping stone into the Superbike arena.

"Three teams were keen to give him a test run and there was the possibility of a job in a motorcycle shop as well," Mr Dean said.

"He was a natural rider and his aim was to get New Zealand back on the map again. He was aiming for the top."

Inspector Ian Hampton, of the British Transport Police, said security cameras had captured what happened.

The footage showed he had clambered on to the tracks to help the woman.